Sulfur_Mustard_flier_English.pdf (2024)

FAQs

What does sulfur mustard do to the body? ›

Long-term Health Effects

Skin exposure to sulfur mustard may produce second- and third-degree burns, skin scarring, pigment changes, and skin cancer. Eye exposure may result in temporary or permanent eye injury or chronic eye infections.

Today, sulfur-based and nitrogen-based mustard agents are regulated under Schedule 1 of the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, as substances with few uses other than in chemical warfare (though since then, mustard gas has been found to be useful in cancer chemotherapy).

There is no antidote for sulfur mustard toxicity. Decontamination of all potentially exposed areas within minutes after exposure is the only effective means of decreasing tissue damage. Immediately remove the patient/victim from the source of exposure.

Mustard gas | C4H8Cl2S | CID 10461 - PubChem.

Metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acid is involved in the formation of various metabolites that play important physiological roles. Impairment of this metabolism is strongly associated with chronic liver disease and also causes the failure of liver regeneration after tissue damage.

Your body needs sulfur to build and fix your DNA and protect your cells from damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancers. Sulfur also assists your body to metabolize food and contributes to the health of your skin, tendons, and ligaments.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified sulfur mustard as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) (IARC, 1987). The National Toxicology Program (NTP) considers “mustard gas” as a substance “known to be a human carcinogen'' (DHHS, 1998).

Quickly remove any clothing that has liquid sulfur mustard on it. If possible, seal the clothing in double plastic bags. Immediately wash any exposed part of the body (eyes, skin, etc.) thoroughly with plain, clean water.

As a pure liquid, it is colorless and odorless, but when mixed with other chemicals, it looks brown and has a garlic-like smell. Sulfur mustard has been used in chemical warfare and was made in large amounts during World Wars I and II.

Depending on the mixture, bleach can produce toxic gases that are harmful. Phosgene gas, also known as mustard gas, is actually a byproduct of bleach when combined with ammonia. A few other elements that are created as a byproduct include hydrochloric acid, chlorine gas and hydrazine.

How to make sulfur mustard? ›

The Germans produced sulfur mustard using the Meyer process, which involved treating ethylene with hypochlorous acid followed by sodium sulfide, yielding β,β'-dihydroxy-methyl sulfide. This in turn was heated with hydrochloric acid, which produced sulfur mustard.

Nazi Germany

The Germans eventually used poison gas on survivors from the Battle of Kerch, May 1942. During the Holocaust, a genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany, millions of Jews, Romani, Slavs, hom*osexuals, and other victims were gassed with carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide (including Zyklon B).

Historically and in literature sulfur is also called brimstone, which means "burning stone". Today, almost all elemental sulfur is produced as a byproduct of removing sulfur-containing contaminants from natural gas and petroleum.

As thiodiglycol (TDG), the main precursor for the production of highly pure sulfur mustard, is a highly regulated chemical (Schedule 2.

Sulfur in excess can cause brain cell death, resulting in brain damage. Signs associated with brain damage can include blindness, incoordination, seizures, death, and others. See the fact sheet on pets and pesticide use for more information about reducing risks to pets. Burning sulfur creates sulfur dioxide, a gas.

Besides promoting chlorophyll formation and oil synthesis, it is an important constituent of seed protein, amino acids, various enzymes, and glucosinolate. Sulphur increases the seed yield of mustard by 12 to 48% under irrigated and 17 to 124% under rainfed conditions.

Pure mustard oil and mustard essential oil may help reduce inflammation and pain, slow cancer cell growth, block microbial growth, and enhance hair and skin health. Both can also be diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically in massage oils, face masks, and hair treatments.